GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS

The Reading / Listening - Saying 'Please' - Level 3

Technology is now helping to teach children to be polite. Amazon will soon start selling a children's version of its virtual assistant Alexa. The new digital assistant will be called "FreeTime". The child-friendly device will include what Amazon calls a "Magic Word" feature. Of course, there are two magic words: "Please," and: "Thank you." The smart software is programmed to encourage children to say "please" and "thank you" when they ask the device questions. An example of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is the capital city of Australia?" Alexa will answer and end its response with: "Thank you for asking so nicely." Amazon hopes this will encourage children to copy the device and be more polite.

Amazon says the new Magic Word feature is to answer the many customers who said technology was teaching children to be rude. Many smart devices simply give out sentences without using any polite words. Parents said children copy this way of speaking and forget to say "please" or "thank you". Children also got used to asking smart devices questions without being polite. Not everyone is happy with this new technology. Josh Golin, executive director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "AI devices...interfere with the face-to-face interactions and child-driven play that children need to grow." He believes parents should spend more time with children and teach them politeness.

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SAYING PLEASE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about saying please. Change partners often and share your findings.2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
technology / polite / virtual / assistant / child-friendly / device / capital city / copy /
feature / answer / sentences / questions / happy / interaction / campaign / parents
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.3. TECHNOLOGY: Students A strongly believe has a big part to play in teaching children politeness; Students B strongly believe it doesn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.4. POLITE: How polite should you be to these people and why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

How polite?

Why?

Your parents

Your teachers

Your best friend

A religious leader

A country's president

A shop assistant

MY e-BOOK

5. MAGIC: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "magic". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.6. RUDE: Rank these with your partner. Put the rudest things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

shoes on seats

cutting in line

ignoring someone

using phone at dinner table

not saying 'thank you'

spitting

bad language

talking loudly

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.

polite

a.

Using computer software to make something look or feel like the real world.

2.

version

b.

Give support, confidence, or hope to someone.

3.

virtual

c.

Showing good manners and speaking nicely to other people.

4.

assistant

d.

A different kind of the same thing (perhaps older, newer, bigger, better, faster, etc.).

5.

device

e.

Helper.

6.

encourage

f.

A thing made or changed for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment.

Before reading / listening

Software called Magic Word will encourage children to say "please". T / F

The software doesn't know what the capital city of Australia is. T / F

The software will use polite words when answering children's questions. T / F

Amazon customers said technology taught children to be rude. T / F

Parents said many devices talked to children without polite words. T / F

Everyone is happy with Amazon's new software. T / F

A campaign group said children should spend more time with technology. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

polite

assistant

of course

example

copy

rude

happy

interfere

face-to-face

believes

naturally

thinks

mimic

pleased

illustration

get in the way

well-mannered

direct

helper

impolite

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

Technology is now helping to teach

virtual

the capital

Thank you for

encourage children

the new Magic Word

teaching children to be

Parents said children copy this way

interfere with the face-to-face

parents should spend more

asking so nicely

time with children

to copy the device

rude

of speaking

children to be polite

interactions

city of Australia

assistant

feature

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

friendly
polite
copy
software
virtual
response
course
example

Technology is now helping to teach children to be (1) ____________. Amazon will soon start selling a children's version of its (2) ____________ assistant Alexa. The new digital assistant will be called "FreeTime". The child-(3) ____________ device will include what Amazon calls a "Magic Word" feature. Of (4) ____________, there are two magic words: "Please," and: "Thank you." The smart (5) ____________ is programmed to encourage children to say "please" and "thank you" when they ask the device questions. An (6) ____________ of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is the capital city of Australia?" Alexa will answer and end its (7) ____________ with: "Thank you for asking so nicely." Amazon hopes this will encourage children to (8) ____________ the device and be more polite.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

rude
spend
forget
director
answer
face-to-face
simply
questions

Amazon says the new Magic Word feature is to (9) ____________ the many customers who said technology was teaching children to be (10) ____________. Many smart devices (11) ____________ give out sentences without using any polite words. Parents said children copy this way of speaking and (12) ____________ to say "please" or "thank you". Children also got used to asking smart devices (13) ____________ without being polite. Not everyone is happy with this new technology. Josh Golin, executive (14) ____________ of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "AI devices...interfere with the (15) ____________ interactions and child-driven play that children need to grow." He believes parents should (16) ____________ more time with children and teach them politeness.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Technology is now helping to teach children ______
a. to be politely
b. to be politeness
c. to be polite
d. to be poll light
2) The smart software is programmed to encourage children ______
a. to speak "please"
b. to say "please"
c. to shout "please"
d. to talk "please"
3) An example of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is the ______ Australia?"
a. capitol city of
b. cap-it-all city of
c. capital city of
d. capitalist city of
4) Alexa will answer and end its response with: "Thank you for ______."
a. asking so nice
b. asking so nicety
c. asking so nicely
d. asking so nicer
5) Amazon hopes this will encourage children to ______
a. cope the device
b. copier the device
c. copy the device
d. copied the device

6) Parents said children copy this way of speaking and forget ______
a. to say "pleased"
b. to say "please"
c. to say "pleases"
d. to say "pleasure"
7) Children also got used to asking smart devices questions without ______
a. been polite
b. be in polite
c. being in polite
d. being polite
8) Not everyone is happy with this ______
a. news technology
b. new technology
c. newt technology
d. knew technology
9) AI devices...interfere with the face-to-face interactions and ______
a. child-driven play
b. child-ridden play
c. child-piloted play
d. child-flown play
10) He believes parents should spend more time with children and teach ______
a. these politeness
b. then politeness
c. there politeness
d. them politeness

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Technology is now helping to teach children (1) ___________________. Amazon will soon start selling a children's (2) ___________________ virtual assistant Alexa. The new digital assistant will be called "FreeTime". The child-friendly device (3) ___________________ Amazon calls a "Magic Word" feature. Of course, there are two magic words: "Please," and: "Thank you." The smart software is programmed (4) ___________________ to say "please" and "thank you" when they ask the device questions. An example of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is (5) ___________________ of Australia?" Alexa will answer and end its response with: "Thank you for asking so nicely." Amazon hopes (6) ___________________ children to copy the device and be more polite.

Amazon says the new Magic Word (7) ___________________ answer the many customers who said technology was teaching children to be rude. Many smart (8) ___________________ out sentences without using any polite words. Parents said children (9) ___________________ of speaking and forget to say "please" or "thank you". Children also got used to (10) ___________________ questions without being polite. Not everyone is happy with this new technology. Josh Golin, executive director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "AI devices... (11) ___________________ face-to-face interactions and child-driven play that children need to grow." He believes parents should (12) ___________________ with children and teach them politeness.

Comprehension questions

What is technology trying to teach children to do?

What is the new digital assistant called?

What is the feature of the software called?

What country might the device ask what the capital is?

What is the adverb the software will use in its responses to children?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is technology trying to teach children to do?
a) code
b) be polite
c) use computers
d) speak another language
2) What is the new digital assistant called?
a) Thanks Time
b) Polite Time
c) Speak Time
d) FreeTime
3) What is the feature of the software called?
a) Magic Word
b) Thank Please
c) Please Time
d) Thank Magic
4) What country might the device ask what the capital is?
a) Albania
b) Argentina
c) Australia
d) Austria
5) What is the adverb the software will use in its responses to children?
a) loudly
b) nicely
c) softly
d) quietly

Role play

Role A – Spitting
You think spitting is the rudest thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so rude. Also, tell the others which is the least rude of these (and why): using bad language, putting your shoes on seats or not saying 'thank you'.

Role B – Using Bad Language
You think using bad language is the rudest thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so rude. Also, tell the others which is the least rude of these (and why): spitting, putting your shoes on seats or not saying 'thank you'.

Role C – Shoes on Seats
You think putting your shoes on seats is the rudest thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so rude. Also, tell the others which is the least rude of these (and why): using bad language, spitting or not saying 'thank you'.

Role D –Not Saying 'Thank You'
You think not saying 'thank you' is the rudest thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so rude. Also, tell the others which is the least rude of these (and why): using bad language, putting your shoes on seats or spitting.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

feature

simply

used

happy

face

spend

helping

include

course

software

capital

copy

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Amazon Alexa to reward kids who say 'Please'

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?

What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'please'?

How important is politeness?

Who should teach us about politeness?

What do you think of virtual assistants like Alexa?

How important are the words "please" and "thank you"?

Are some cultures more polite than others?

Do you always say "please" and "thank you"?

How important is face-to-face interaction?

Who is the rudest person you've ever met?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

What do you think of when you hear the word 'thank you'?

What do you think about what you read?

How polite are you?

Should technology teach children to be polite?

Why are people rude?

What do you find rude about tourists visiting your country?

Do you ever say things to rude people?

What do you think of a virtual assistant teaching children manners

What questions would you like to ask Amazon's boss?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Technology is now helping to teach children to be (1) ____. Amazon will soon start selling a children's version of its (2) ____ assistant Alexa. The new digital assistant will be called "FreeTime". The child-friendly device will include (3) ____ Amazon calls a "Magic Word" feature. Of course, there are two magic words: "Please," and: "Thank you." The (4) ____ software is programmed to encourage children to say "please" and "thank you" when they ask the device questions. An example of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is the capital (5) ____ of Australia?" Alexa will answer and end its response with: "Thank you for asking so nicely." Amazon hopes this will encourage children to (6) ____ the device and be more polite.

Amazon says the new Magic Word feature is to answer the (7) ____ customers who said technology was teaching children to be (8) ____. Many smart devices simply give out sentences without using any polite words. Parents said children copy this way of speaking and forget to say "please" or "thank you". Children also got (9) ____ to asking smart devices questions without being polite. Not everyone is happy (10) ____ this new technology. Josh Golin, executive director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "AI devices...interfere with the face-to-face interactions and child-(11) ____ play that children need to grow." He believes parents should spend more time with children and teach (12) ____ politeness.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) polite (b) politeness (c) politely (d) politer

(a) virtue (b) virtuoso (c) virtual (d) virtually

(a) that (b) what (c) while (d) how

(a) part (b) start (c) mart (d) smart

(a) city (b) village (c) region (d) town

(a) cope (b) copy (c) cop (d) cops

(a) must (b) much (c) more (d) many

(a) dude (b) rude (c) nude (d) cued

(a) uses (b) use (c) used (d) using

(a) whilst (b) while (c) what (d) with

(a) sudden (b) trodden (c) ridden (d) driven

(a) these (b) them (c) those (d) this

Spelling

Paragraph 1

teach children to be oetipl

start selling a children's orvsien

The new digital taitssnsa

eceuarong children to say "please"

An eplmexa of this

answer the many etumorcss

Paragraph 2

the new Magic Word eurafet

simply give out snceetsen

reotgf to say "please"

executive drtrecoi

AI devices fetrirene

face-to-face intanctrsoei

Put the text back together

(...) questions. An example of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is the capital city of
(...) grow." He believes parents should spend more time with children and teach them politeness.
(...) with the face-to-face interactions and child-driven play that children need to
(...) director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "AI devices...interfere
(...) Amazon says the new Magic Word feature is to answer the many customers who said technology was teaching
(...) children to be rude. Many smart devices simply give out sentences without using any polite
(...) and: "Thank you." The smart software is programmed to encourage children to say "please" and "thank you" when they ask the device
(...) Australia?" Alexa will answer and end its response with: "Thank you for asking so
( 1 ) Technology is now helping to teach children to be polite. Amazon will soon start selling a children's
(...) include what Amazon calls a "Magic Word" feature. Of course, there are two magic words: "Please,"
(...) nicely." Amazon hopes this will encourage children to copy the device and be more polite.
(...) used to asking smart devices questions without being polite. Not everyone is happy with this new technology. Josh Golin, executive
(...) version of its virtual assistant Alexa. The new digital assistant will be called "FreeTime". The child-friendly device will
(...) words. Parents said children copy this way of speaking and forget to say "please" or "thank you". Children also got

Put the words in the right order

children now be helping is to polite . Technology

a virtual version of children's assistant . Selling its

magic course, two are there words . Of

capital is the Australia? city What of

children copy device . This to the encourage will

teaching to be children Technology rude . was

smart devices out Many give sentences . simply

this with happy new Not technology . is everyone

AI face-to-face interactions . interfere devices with

with more Parents time spend children . should

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Technology is now / known helping to teach children to be polite. Amazon will sooner / soon start selling a children's version of its virtually / virtual assistant Alexa. The new digital assistance / assistant will be called "FreeTime". The child-friendly device will include what / that Amazon calls a "Magic Word" feature. Of course, there are two magic words: "Please," and: "Thank you." The smarmy / smart software is programmed to encourage children to say "please" and "thank you" when they ask the crevice / device questions. An example of this is if a child asks FreeTime: "What is the capital city / town of Australia?" Alexa will answer and end its respire / response with: "Thank you for asking so nicely." Amazon hopes this will encourage children to copy / cope the device and be more polite.

Amazon says the new Magic Word feature is to question / answer the many customers who said technology was teaching children to be crude / rude. Many smart devices simply give in / out sentences without using any polite words / wordy. Parents said children copy this way of speak / speaking and forget to say "please" or "thank you". Children also got used to asking smart devices questions without been / being polite. Not everyone is happy with this new technology / technological. Josh Golin, executive director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "AI devices...interfere with the face-to-face interactions and child-ridden / child-driven play that children need to grow." He believes / beliefs parents should spend more time with children and teach these / them politeness.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

technology is now helping to teach children to be polite amazon will soon start selling a childrens version of its virtual assistant alexa the new digital assistant will be called freetime the childfriendly device will include what amazon calls a magic word feature of course there are two magic words please and thank you the smart software is programmed to encourage children to say please and thank you when they ask the device questions an example of this is if a child asks freetime what is the capital city of australia alexa will answer and end its response with thank you for asking so nicely amazon hopes this will encourage children to copy the device and be more polite

amazon says the new magic word feature is to answer the many customers who said technology was teaching children to be rude many smart devices simply give out sentences without using any polite words parents said children copy this way of speaking and forget to say please or thank you children also got used to asking smart devices questions without being polite not everyone is happy with this new technology josh golin executive director of campaign for a commercialfree childhood said ai devicesinterfere with the facetoface interactions and childdriven play that children need to grow he believes parents should spend more time with children and teach them politeness.

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.3. SAYING PLEASE: Make a poster about saying please. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?4. TECHNOLOGY: Write a magazine article about technology playing a bigger role in helping children to be polite. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on saying please. Ask him/her three questions about being polite. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can teach children to be more polite. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)